The Location

The Pearse Resurgence is located at a remote site in the Mount Arthur region, approximately 1.5 hours north west of Nelson on the South Island of New Zealand. This region is well known for its caving, and until recently a nearby cave, Blizzard Pot, in the Nettlebed system, was home to the longest through trip dry cave in the Southern Hemisphere. We are hoping to join the Pearse Resurgence to Blizzard Pot, and possibly to another cave close by, HH Cave.

There is a walking track to the site, but this involves a three hour walk with twelve river crossings, so carrying dive and support gear in isn't really an option. Our method of entry is by helicopter, and usually involves five or six flights with gear slung in nets underneath the chopper. In the picture you can see our underwater habitat being dropped in. Syd at Mountain View Helicopters gets us and our gear down into the small site with ease, then comes back in about ten days to pick us up. He can be found at actionhelicopters.com

The campsite is quite small and rocky, with only enough room for a few tents. To get to the cave from the campsite, you walk, stumble, and fall your way along the riverbank, climbing over rocks and along logs for about 60 metres, weighed down with the requisite 60 to 80 kilo's of gear.